Home Staging

Many factors determine how long a home will take to sell, including competing homes on the market, general real estate market conditions, interest rates, marketing and exposure, and of course, the condition of the home itself.

There are many things you can do to help prepare your home to sell. When you list your home with me I will review the home with you room-by-room and prepare a list of suggestions to help your home make the best impression possible on potential buyers.

Here are some key areas not to be overlooked: 

• Main Selling Rooms
  • The front entrance should look presentable and have room for guests to enter and remove their shoes comfortably.
  • The kitchen must feel clean and bright. Consider painting cabinets and replacing cabinet hardware if necessary.
  • The living room should feel inviting and create adn sense that buyers could comfortably entertain there. Position furniture to highlight the room's focal point, such as a feature fireplace.
  • Ensure the dining room shows it's function and is positioned for dining and entertaining.
  • The master bedroom should create a feeling of calm and retreat. Ensure bedding is well displayed and position furniture to create space.
  • The ensuite bathroom and closet should be clean and clear of clutter, keep personal products off the counters and in a basket under the sink or in a cupboard.
  • Ensure all bathrooms are clean, bright and fresh. Consider replacing light fixtures, shower curtains and mats if these rooms aren't showing their best.
• Pets and Odour
  • Avoid cooking with foods that have a strong / lingering odour.
  • Whenever possible, remove pets while the house is being shown, also remove signs of pets like food bowls, litter boxes, toys, leashes etc. 
  • Keep the litter box out of sight and clean it daily.
• Curb Appeal
  • First impression are extremely important and minor repairs can be have a big impact
  • If your mailbox and porch light are rusted, replace them with new fixtures
  • Remove any left over holiday decorations as soon as the holiday is over
  • Sweet or shovel walkways and driveways whenever needed
  • Maintain the front and backyard, ensuring they are mowed, shrubs are pruned and lawns and flower beds are free of weeds.
• Depersonalize & De-clutter
  • Make it easier for buyers to imagine themselves living in your home
  • Put away all personal and family photos
  • Pre-pack collections, books and music that do not appeal to a wide range of buyers
  • Store away kids' extra toys, games and books
  • Remove religious decorations
  • Make sure each room has a spacious feeling
  • Pre-pack seasonal clothing and items you wont need while your home is on the market
  • Clean clutter out of the garage to show buyers their vehicles will fit
• Flooring
  • Have carpets professionally steam cleaned if necessary, 
  • Consider replacing significantly worn flooring, ensure that the new floor coverings work with the function of the room and flows well with the other flooring in the home
• Furniture and Lighting
  • Consider the traffic flow of buyers through your home. Are furniture and lighting properly placed to show off your home's prime features. 
  • Too much furniture can make a room look small, consider putting excess furniture in storage
  • If furniture is worn, old or outdated, consider buying or renting new pieces for the key rooms while your home is on the market.
  • Ensure all rooms are well lit throughout, no dark corners.
  • If permanent light fixtures are dated, replace them with inexpensive modern fixtures.
• Paint
  • If homes haven't been painted within the last five years, consider repainting them. 
  • Paint in neutral tones that appeal to the widest range of buyers, select colours that create the right mood for your home.
  • Freshen up any scuffed doors and trim with a coat of paint. 

Want to learn more?

• Online Home Evaluation
• Contact me directly